Your opinion on this Cube touring please

[Lemans Party]

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Delhi-Disc-2011-Hybri...




Specification:

Frame: HPA Trekking Double Butted
Fork: Suntour NCX-D RL Lite
Headset: FSA NO. 10 semi-integrated
Stem: Easton EA30, 25.4mm
Handlebar: Easton EA30 Riser
Grips: CUBE Ergo Lock-On
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT RD-M771 Top Normal
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M770 Top Swing, 34.9mm
Shifters: Shimano Deore SLX SL-M660 Rapidfire-Plus, 9-Speed
Brakes: Formula RX hydr. Disc Brake (160/160)
Cranks: Shimano SLX FC-M660 Hollowtech II 48x36x26T., 175mm, integrated BB, Chainguard
Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50 11-32T., 9-Speed
Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Performance
Rims: Alex EN24 Disc
Front hub: Shimano XT FH-M756
Rear hub: Shimano DH-3D72-QR Hub Dynamo
Spokes: DT Swiss Champion 2.0 black
Inner Tube: Schwalbe 22-622
Pedals: Fasten Butterfly Sealed Bearing
Seat: Selle Royal Viper Comfort
Seatpost: RFR Complight 31.6mm
Seatclamp: Scape Varioclose 34.9mm
Front Lamp: Lumotec IQ Cyo T R Senso Plus
Rear Lamp: Busch&Müller Toplicht Linetec Integrated
Mud guard: SKS Bluemels Black Pro
Bell: Humpert
Rear Rack: Racktime TourIt Toplight Linetec Integrated
Weight: 14.5kg

[Lemans Party]

neilski said:

Looks good. Where are you off to?

Just localish....... but I like the idea of having a practical bike. I don't really want to have a backpack and I would like to combine my photography hobby with cycling, so I thought this would be ideal.
I would probably end up putting mudguards on any hybrid anyway, so I figured i might as well get them with the bike.
I can always remove them in dry periods. I would not want to cycle without mudguards in the wet.
The weight concerns me though, but others have said "don't get hung up on the weight"?
Thanks for the feedback.

The alternative is something like the Cube Tonopah Race as below, and add plastic guards.



Specification:
• Frame: HPA Trekking Double Butted
• Fork: Suntour NCX-E RL Lite
• Headset: FSA Orbit Z semi-integrated
• Stem: Syntace F149 Oversized
• Handlebar: Syntace Duraflite 2014
• Grips: CUBE Ultralight Screw-On-Race-Grip
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT RD-M772 Shadow
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M770 Top Swing, 34.9mm
• Shifters: Shimano Deore XT SL-M770 Rapidfire-Plus, 9-Speed
• Brakes: Shimano Deore XT KM7752 hydr. Disc Brake (160/160)
• Cranks: Shimano Deore XT FC-M771 Hollowtech II 48x36x26T., 175mm, integrated BB, Chainguard
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50 11-32T., 9-Speed
• Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
• Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evolution
• Rims: Alex EN24 Disc
• Front hub: Shimano XT HB-M775
• Rear hub: Shimano XT FH-M775
• Spokes: DT Swiss Competition 2.0-1.8-2.0 black
• Inner Tube: Schwalbe Impac AV17
• Rim Tape: Schwalbe 22-622
• Pedals: Fasten Cross UltraLight Sealed Bearing
• Seat: RFR Natural Shape 0.2 M
• Seatpost: RFR Prolight 31.6mm Setback
• Seatclamp: Scape Varioclose 34.9mm
• Weight: 11.2kg

[Lemans Party]

Jimbo. said:

Don't bother with front suspension: 99.9% of the time anything attached to such bikes will be ineffective, heavy tat, so any desires for "comfort" will not be met. Look at any decent touring/road/utility bike, and you'll see none of them have suspension.

I went to halfords again today and looked at the Boardman hybrid pro, it looks great, weighs 9.3kg, carbon fork, I am very tempted.

[Lemans Party]

Parrot of Doom said:

I wouldn't bother with flat bars, get something like this instead:

http://www.dawescycles.com/p-20-galaxy.aspx

That's from a manufacturer that has long been in the business of building touring bikes.

I prefer a more upright riding position though. I'm not interested in speed, I'd rather see the countryside!

[Lemans Party]

HundredthIdiot said:

In any case, I see from the other thread that the OP bought the Delhi and loves it. Win!

I was a little concerned about the suspension fork and the need for it, but I can actually feel it working on my rides. On the delhi there is a remote lockout, so it is easy to lock when necessary without taking my hands off the bars.
I would echo the comments about the hydraulic disc brakes, the feel of the lever is really good and they are a pleasure to use. The feel of both front and rear are nicely matched.